The shame of scalping at UCLA

Re “Paying princely sums for a seat at UCLA’s ‘Lear,’ ” Oct. 13

It is commendable that The Times is raising the issue of ticket prices for a variety of performances and venues in the greater L.A. area. The policy of scalping (that is what it is really called) by various legitimate ticket agencies is clearly depriving the majority of people in the lower-earning sphere of experiencing the best in our cultural achievements. It works counter-productively in educating the masses in developing good artistic taste and appreciation for a variety of genres.

With prices for theater tickets as high as they are, who else but the true elite of the richest can spend that kind of money on an evening of onstage performance? The theaters go along with the scalpers because the scalpers guarantee them a 100% sellout. The scalpers may demand as high as a 1,000% increase (depending on the event) from the prices that they paid to the theaters.

There is absolutely no consumer protection from these unscrupulous practices. UCLA -- a California taxpayer-funded school -- should be ashamed and chastised for participating in such schemes with the (condoned) official scalpers.

Arlene Algeyer-Finn

Newport Beach